Lesson Learned : (

I know this is my fault for not getting the money up front...I made a 12x18 angry birds cake for a coworker (in my photos). I spend a lot of time making all of the pieces for the cake. We had an agreement that she would pay the 35.00 for the ingredients. I had to drive 1 hour each way to drop off/setup the cake for her. She was sooooo excited when she seen the cake and I just figured she was so busy that she forgot to pay me and would on Monday at work... Well a couple coworkers approached me saying they were upset because she was telling everyone that I made it for her for FREE after they heard us talking about how she would pay! I HATE confrontation and don't want to bring this up at work and make it awkward :/ should I just let this go? I just thought I could trust a coworker : (

I gave up caring what others think (except my immediate family) a few years ago and it feels great. Prior to that, I was so concerned with what others thought or would think that I wasn't really living MY life. Confrontation isn't easy, but it needs to be done or you will secretly despise this women and cause yourself stress every time you see her. She owes you $35....you know that and she knows that. Maybe she thought that since you didn't ask for the money at the party then you all of sudden decided to give it to her for free......but you shouldn't have to 'ask' for payment! She should have given it to you the moment you put the cake down. She's taking advantage of you, and if you let her others will try to as well.

Oh yeah....I would have charged her WAY more than $35 for that cake! You were doing her a favor to begin with, so go get your money!

I gave up caring what others think (except my immediate family) a few years ago and it feels great. Prior to that, I was so concerned with what others thought or would think that I wasn't really living MY life. Confrontation isn't easy, but it needs to be done or you will secretly despise this women and cause yourself stress every time you see her. She owes you $35....you know that and she knows that. Maybe she thought that since you didn't ask for the money at the party then you all of sudden decided to give it to her for free......but you shouldn't have to 'ask' for payment! She should have given it to you the moment you put the cake down. She's taking advantage of you, and if you let her others will try to as well.

Oh yeah....I would have charged her WAY more than $35 for that cake! You were doing her a favor to begin with, so go get your money!

I would go to her and tell her that your co-workers mentioned to you that you made the cake for free. then tell her yes you did MAKE the cake for free, you gave her your time and skill!!!! .... BUT she still OWES you for the ingredients! Good luck!!Kat

Thank you so much everyone! One of the girls at work asked if she at least paid me for the ingredients and she said no. She knows we had an agreement becaue we have been talking about this for a month and she was so excited at how cheap I would do it. I have now heard form other coworkers that this is just how she is... : ( I am new at cake making (3 months) and just feel bad because my husband works out of state and was home for the weekend and I had to miss a day with him just to make and deliver this cake. I am going to ask her about the money when I see her at work next and I will let you all know what happened. Thanks again!!!! I really do appreciate all the feedback : ) I love CC!!

I have a duplicate receipt book that I use. I mail or hand deliver the receipt to the person. If they don't pay after the 7 days then I make a copy of the duplicate, add on the late fee and send/deliver it to them again. With one customer/friend I finally sent a note asking her if maybe I misunderstood and was maybe supposed to send the bill to her husband....she knocked on my door the next day and handed me the money!!

I have a duplicate receipt book that I use. I mail or hand deliver the receipt to the person. If they don't pay after the 7 days then I make a copy of the duplicate, add on the late fee and send/deliver it to them again. With one customer/friend I finally sent a note asking her if maybe I misunderstood and was maybe supposed to send the bill to her husband....she knocked on my door the next day and handed me the money!!

I HATE confrontation and don't want to bring this up at work and make it awkward :/ should I just let this go? I just thought I could trust a coworker : (

By letting it go, you are telling her that you are fine with her behavior and that you are okay with not getting paid. Is that, really the impression you want to give her?

While a lot of us hate confrontation, if you don't stand up for what is owed to you, who will?

I personally wouldn't make a big deal about it. I would either send her an email that says something along the line of, "I realize you were busy when I dropped the cake off the other day, I just wanted to know when I can come by your office and pick up the cash for the $35 you still owe me."

Oh just go to her and ask her for it. It is owed to you, and it doesn't have to be a big deal in front of everyone, but I wouldn't just let it go.

... we have been talking about this for a month and she was so excited at how cheap I would do it.

This brought me back a few years. When you say you are fairly new to cake decorating I can understand how you are looking for opportunities to create beautiful cakes. We are many who would be happy to get the experience for free if they just cover the costs (which in your case, I can't believe you drove that far and payed for gas yourself). My advice would be for you to look for real friends who would truly appreciate your cakes because of your creations, not for the low price. I had a "friend" (not close) who I made some cakes for, but I realized that it was not my qualities she wanted, but the free cakes. I have stopped making cakes for her since I ended up feeling taken advantage of and it wasn't worth the experience any more.

Get your money!! and NEVER...NEVER....deliver a cake ANY distance for free...Lesson learned LOL..I sure hope she pays you..Hound her until she does...

Also..charge for your time and not just the ingredients..It doesn't matter how long you have been doing it...I have seen some people who have just started and make stunning cakes..Natural talent.. and then others that have been decorating for years and are not very good...

All is well that ends well... I was approached by a couple of coworkers that were really upset that she has not paid me and they asked her how much she paid me and she told them nothing. Well the ladies weren't having that and they told her that she took advantage of me and needs to pay me. Especially since I make a birthday cake for every single person in my department and it in not cheap(about 25 cakes since I have started cake making 3-4 months ago) I have not seen her yet, but apparently she is now planning on paying... I am so happy I have a great reputation at work and my coworkers went to her on their own w/o me even saying anything to anyone. So happy that is over and that is the LAST cake for her! : ) I hear she has a check for me, let's just hope it doesn't bounce!

I think it is wonderful that your coworkers took care of the situation for you! It's nice having people you work with that care and look after one another. Hopefully with a posse looking out for ya, you'll have a check on your desk!